Vic's vaporub on your feet

[Reginald Fairfield]

A long time ago I saw a video of some old guy telling viewers to put that on your feet. I'm now watching someone react to a Filipina lady say that they put that goop up their nose to prevent motion sickness, and they put it on their feet as well, before bed.

What does that do?

 

[nightglow]

My dad sometimes puts vapor rub on his feet. I am not sure what it does tbh. There are rumors of it increasing circulation and breaking up chest congestion. I don't know how it breaks up chest congestion if it is so far from your nose. Applying to your chest would be better.
Tbh, it makes more sense to me to put onion slices on your feet which is controversial and considered a folktale. Skin is really absorbent however and onions have chemical compounds and sulfur that help boost the immune system. But you know what is even more absorbent than skin? Your digestive system. Onion soup is also tasty, just use onions that aren't from your socks

 

[Yanrima~]

Vick's vaporub is basically a mint cream that supposedly had medicinal benefits when you rub it on the affected area, also people use it when they're sick because of it's cooling properties. (yes, i did in fact rub it on my nose when I got sick from coughs and colds and it works)

 

[skarmoury]

menthol has this cooling effect, something like a very mild anesthetia that distracts you from body pains. the reason people like inhaling menthol is beause of this relaxing effect, so say your nose is congested, there's this sort of decongesting feeling because the scent from menthol makes you feel calmer and more relaxed. people report feeling better even if objectively it doesn't significantly open up the airways; i personally have allergies and menthol inhalers dont totally cure my stuffy nose, but hey at least i feel a little better.

it's kinda the same reason why toothpaste is usually minty; the mint flavor doesnt really do much hygiene-wise, but because there's a lasting cooling effect, we feel clean for a while. menthol is just kinda there to make us feel good.

speaking of, as a filipina, i know so many people who like these kinda of symptomatic remedies. my friends and i have these vic's keychain menthol inhalers cuz we're always so stressed lmao. it became a trend at one point to have these pastel inhalers lol. my grandmother also had her own kind of oil remedy "white flower" which had a really strong smell.

here's what my lil keychain inhaler looks like lol. i have one but my bf gave me another jic i'd be too stressed that i needed another

 

[michealsmells]

Besides what people have listed here- Vics has petroleum jelly, or Vaseline in it. Meaning it's pretty much made of the stuff. That stuff has been seen as a miracle cure for AGES. Putting it on your feet for your respiratory health is a little wild but- hey at least you're moisturizing your feet in the process?

 

[QueenCobra]

I’ve heard of that, but I don’t believe I’ve tried it. Vicks contains menthol, camphor, and eucalyptus, which stimulates nerve endings in the feet. These can travel through the nervous system and cool down the area responsible for the coughing reflex. Idk if that’s the thinking behind it, but the most scientific explanation out there.

When I was most recently sick, I used the Walgreens-brand rub under my nose and on my throat. It worked out fine!